The Toronto Blue Jays are getting closer to bolstering their bullpen.
The team is “very close” to a deal with free agent right-hander Ronald Belisario, an industry source told Sportsnet. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, who first reported late Wednesday that the Blue Jays were making a strong push for Belisario, wrote Thursday that the sides are close to a deal.
Belisario established himself as a reliable late-inning reliever with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012-13 only to struggle with the Chicago White Sox in 2014 and lose his roster spot with a non-tender. The 32-year-old posted a 5.56 ERA in 62 games for the White Sox in 2014, collecting eight saves while blowing four opportunities.
But Belisario’s peripheral numbers suggest a return to form is possible. He struck out 47 batters while walking 18 and posting a solid 59.3 percent ground ball rate. His fastball maintained above-average velocity in 2014 (93.9 mph), though he generated swinging strikes less frequently than usual (6.6 percent whiff rate). Those numbers align with Belisario’s career norms (7.3 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 60.4 percent ground ball rate, 3.75 ERA) and he produced a 3.69 xFIP, an indication that he could return to form with average defence and some improved luck.
However, Belisario has a history of off-field troubles. He was placed on the restricted list by the Dodgers on multiple occasions after reporting late to spring training, served a 25-game suspension for using cocaine in violation of MLB’s drug policy and served an unrelated suspension for his role in a brawl with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Relievers with ERAs close to 6.00 are sometimes required to accept minor league deals to rebuild their value, so the Blue Jays have leverage here, as much as they’re in need of capable relief options.
Belisario has two years of team control remaining, meaning he’ll be arbitration eligible one last time following the 2015 season.